The problem of wet wipes - much worse than toilet paper.

Submitted: Monday, Jul 06, 2015 at 12:04
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We have all experienced the appalling mess that careless people make when they dont dispose of toilet paper properly. Wet wipes are worse in that they take much longer to break down than paper. But many people flush wet wipes down the loo - sometimes because the manufacturers state that its safe to do so. As this news item shows wet wipes in the pipes can cause enormous problems even in large and technically advanced sewerage systems. Spare a thought for the small and simple sewerage and even septic systems in many of the outback places we visit - flushing your wet wipes down these pipes could result in costly damage. The message is simple : if you must use wet wipes, dispose of them in the bin, or burn them. DO NOT FLUSH THEM! Ladies in particular please take note!

Cheers,

Val.
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Reply By: Member - gujimbo - Monday, Jul 06, 2015 at 15:45

Monday, Jul 06, 2015 at 15:45
Funny this topic should show up, our Range Tour at Maralinga was cancelled by Robin due to the septic toilet problems he was having just last week!.

As for Volkes Hill corner should be renamed to bleepHill corner by the amount of toilet paper that littered the place by thoughtless idiots.

And don't let me start on the twats who decided it was good fun to try and trail bike up Geosurveys Hill!!

Cheers Jim
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Reply By: Michael ( Moss Vale NSW) - Monday, Jul 06, 2015 at 16:40

Monday, Jul 06, 2015 at 16:40
Gday John and Val, Its an easy fix these days to part of the problem, you can now buy Flushable wipes from the major grocery retailers. These are bio-degradable and the older ones that we all know and love, are not. It would make a real difference if everyone gets on board and start buying the flushable ones, and still dispose of them properly. regards, Michael
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Follow Up By: TomH - Monday, Jul 06, 2015 at 17:03

Monday, Jul 06, 2015 at 17:03
Sadly its the so called flushable ones that are still some of the trouble Was on TV last week and showed them.

Being biodegradable doesnt matter. Its when they go down the pipe and strike an obstruction and jam up. They dont dissolve like loo paper and form large lumps of slimy goo that blocks the pipes.. Showed the result on TV as well

http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2015/03/24/london-sewers-rance

These may be OK

https://www.cottonelle.com/flushability

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAI3Dttootw
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Follow Up By: snow - Monday, Jul 06, 2015 at 19:23

Monday, Jul 06, 2015 at 19:23
Yeah the old biodegradable seems to get a little misused I think considering a house brick is largely biodegradable, eventually.
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Reply By: AlbyNSW - Monday, Jul 06, 2015 at 18:25

Monday, Jul 06, 2015 at 18:25
I don't know why there isn't a toilet paper that beaks down much faster than is does too
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Follow Up By: Glenn C5 - Tuesday, Jul 07, 2015 at 14:50

Tuesday, Jul 07, 2015 at 14:50
Not too fast Alby. So long as you can wipe before it turns to tripe !!
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Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Monday, Jul 06, 2015 at 18:56

Monday, Jul 06, 2015 at 18:56
I must be missing something here!

I was under the impression that wet wipes were used to wipe down tabletops and counters and maybe parts of the body not associated with the bum.

Why on earth would anyone want to flush them down the dunny?

Bill


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Follow Up By: Member - John and Val - Monday, Jul 06, 2015 at 19:37

Monday, Jul 06, 2015 at 19:37
Bill I think you might be confusing the blue chux-type material that is designed for use in kitchen and laundry, with wet wipes that were originally used to wipe babies bums, but graduated to have multiple other personal hygiene uses. They are very convenient when camping (and I use them myself) but they dont break down very well so must be either burnt or binned.

Cheers,

Val
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Reply By: gbc - Monday, Jul 06, 2015 at 19:19

Monday, Jul 06, 2015 at 19:19
Just got home from Carnarvon gorge. It would appear that morons take them hiking now and leave them in the scrub!
AnswerID: 556723

Reply By: snow - Monday, Jul 06, 2015 at 19:30

Monday, Jul 06, 2015 at 19:30
Our last house was on acreage and we had a biocycle tank (waste water treatment plant - flasher septic tank) & we also used to have a lot of visitors. I cannot tell you how many times I had to clear the tank of noncompatible items including damn wet wipes, Chux cloths and tampons. Terribly frustrating as we always briefed new visitors of such but still I would all too frequently end up in the tank clearing pumps etc of blockages...not a pleasant task at the best of time.
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Follow Up By: Member - johnat - Monday, Jul 06, 2015 at 20:42

Monday, Jul 06, 2015 at 20:42
Yeah, we've got one of those bio-cycle units too! Absolutely magic so long as the tenants actually LISTEN, and do as instructed! Our current tenant in the cottage has come off a rural place, so is very much attuned to the needs of a country life. Previous ones had NFI, use the water tanks absolutely dry! (had to buy water in for them, while our house tanks were still around half full!).
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Reply By: lindsay - Monday, Jul 06, 2015 at 19:54

Monday, Jul 06, 2015 at 19:54
gujimbo, Who were the idiots riding up Geosurveys Hill, did see them and if so did you get any rego's.
Lindsay
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Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Monday, Jul 06, 2015 at 19:58

Monday, Jul 06, 2015 at 19:58
Hi Val,

No, I am thinking more along the lines of the anti bacterial wipes that are prevelent these days.
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Follow Up By: Member - John and Val - Monday, Jul 06, 2015 at 21:48

Monday, Jul 06, 2015 at 21:48
Fair enough, they are another product that are a recipe for disaster.

Cheers,

Val.
J and V
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Reply By: Echucan Bob - Tuesday, Jul 07, 2015 at 21:56

Tuesday, Jul 07, 2015 at 21:56
I'd like to say that the judicious use of baby asre wipes (Hugies etc) can make quite long inter-shower intervals much less unpleasant. They may not be biodegradable, but degrade very quickly when tossed into the fire.
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Reply By: Dingojim - Wednesday, Jul 08, 2015 at 09:26

Wednesday, Jul 08, 2015 at 09:26
Outlaw the bloody things along with disposable nappies. Nuff said.
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